This bodes well for long-term equity growth.Rising Rents: The uptick in rental prices shows a strong demand for rental properties and could lead to better cash flow for investors.Economic Strength: Reading has a diverse economy, with key sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and education providing stability.Rental Demand: Low vacancy rates signal that people are actively renting in the area, which is essential for scalability.Future Development: Any upcoming infrastructure projects or new businesses could further boost the market.With these positive trends, it seems like Reading could be a scalable rental market.

I am responding as a consumer not a STR owner we had one its lasted for us for exactly one tenant then we felt it was too much work for the return  on investment we do much better loaning money and buidling new homes than to worry about people goofing up our homes :)I do have some MTR you know fully furnished homes in Vegas and those are money makers for us top of the line tneants paying double the going rate for rent.

Consider that interest rates are now double what they were in 2020 with investment properties (especially a four-plex 6.5 at least) and the new cost of the buildings.

The issue here is in order to increase rents at reasonable rates to cashflow well you need to not just do cosmetic changes they require you to do extensive plumbing and electrical to be able to increase the rents. 

If you refinance now, you may be limited to a rate and term or delayed purchase (depending on the lender) or pay higher points/fees/higher rate using a DSCR loan without a cash out seasoning requirement.

(I also don't understand how you have a hard money loan with a rate of 7.25%...)offering an equity position that you then buy out in just a few years seems like way too much complexity and risk when you say you just need 30K. 

Call 3-4 of them with 4.5-star rating or better, ask what their experience is and how they can help your situation, then choose one and move forward.You are in the most heavily regulated state in the country, and one of the most regulated/litigious places in the world.

This is because those who househacked actually pulled the trigger and started to gain experience while those looking for strictly an investment were too focused on numbers and returns to get their hand and feet wet.You can put little money down and take advantage of favorable rates. its a no brainer IMO 

Consider a home equity loan or HELOC to tap into your condo’s value while improving your credit score to qualify for better mortgage rates.

You might could say the new lease rate was the BASE AMOUNT increase verbally and then add a percentage rent clause above a certain annual sales threshold.